Day of the Fight

Jack Huston's writer / director debut, New York boxing drama "Day Of The Fight", is beautifully shot in B&W but let down somewhat by its screenplay. The first bout in 10yrs (after a tragic car smash and its aftermath forced him out) for former Middleweight World Champion Michael Pitt (outstanding) is a televised world title fight (one of the film's many implausabilities) - which he spends the day of catching up with characters from his past (including Joe Pesci, Steve Buscemi, Ron Perlman, John Magaro, & Nicolette Robinson) and flashing back on moments that have brought him to this one. Huston's a better director than writer, but overall his debut is one with a solid punch.

I absolutely loved this film. It grabbed me in the first few minutes and I was completely absorbed. Huston has made a muscular and lyrical film. Pitt deserves a nomination for Best Actor. He is incapable of a false moment. He is pitch perfect in every scene and it reminds of how Boardwalk Empire suffered without him. Now a man, Pitt acts with a depth that is funny and moving. Ron Perlman, Joe Pesci and Steve Buscemi are wonderful in supporting roles. Perlman steals every scene he is in. Huston's script has so many fine moments. The original music is gorgeous. Do not miss this film. It is a quiet classic.

You mudt go see Day of the Fight and spread the word. It will not disappointed! Far from being simply a trope boxing film, this movie is a passionate story of a man taking stock of his life. Boxing, though very well and accurately presented in the film, is almost incidental to the larger arc. Pitt conjured images of a young Jon Voight, and brilliantly carried us through Irish Mike's recovery of self. The entire supporting cast gave this film a heartbeat, a soul. Even the 'smallest' role gave us a sense of community, building Irish Mike's world for us. Huston knocked it out of the part with this directorial debut.

A philosophical question, old as the hills, asks, IF YOU KNEW THIS WAS YOUR LAST DAY ON EARTH, what would you do differently? This is a fight film which is not a fight film, at least not what today's viewers expect. This is a film straight from the 1950s, in B&W in case you missed the clues. Where the script, the characterizations, the ambience are all more important than any punch thrown. Holds the attention. Recommended. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

Wow amazing movie.

Human, simple story, done very very well.

Music 10:10 Cinematography 9:10 Writing 7:10 Heart 10:10

Anyone that ever lived a full life (not a life scrolling Instagram or Facebook) anyone over the age of 30/35 (2025) will understand this movie.

Great flick well worth your time.

I'm 42 and I've experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in my life (not the best or the worst .... But enough).

And I was moved by this movie.

The only problem is you have seen this before i this is why I didn't give it a 10/10.

It's a 8-9/10. Depending on who you are watching it.

If you ever had to fight for something in your life, or you lost even when you tried your best.... Or you cocked up and then grew from it you will understand this film.

Well worth a watch if you like human movies that have a lot of heart.

9/10 for me will watch again.